1. Matching shirts for the family. So...they weren't 'matchy matchy' but we definitely all matched the theme. OWLS! Not sure I'd want one as a pet, but they sure do make for cute party decorations! Freezer paper, fabric paint & an iron are all you need to make these cute puppies. I also did this for a baby shower, lots of cute onesies were the result. Y-E-S!
Jaxen's shirt said 'I HOOT, I TOOT & I'M 2.' My shirt said 'I'M ONE HOOOT MOMMA.' And good ol' dad's shirt said 'SMART OWLS SAY 'WHOM'.' Anyone who knows Jeff knows how appropriate that shirt was for him! The graphics are super easy to make and anyone can do it. I totally ripped this idea off and so can you! Here's the tutorial I followed.
2. Owl Cake & Cupcakes. I wanted Jaxen to have his own cake and I wanted cupcakes for the guests. And of course, I wanted them to be owls.
Now...all the moms out there - if you don't already have a subscription to 'Family Fun' magazine...stop what you are doing, run out and get one immediately! Your cute and 'awe'some future birthday cakes depend on it! I got this cake idea
from there and adapted it to what I could find in the store. I hate ordering candies/cookies online just to pay more for shipping than for the actual item. Grrrr!!! Ok...back on task. Jaxen had his own owl cake which he was delighted to eat...that day and for the next 3 days. And all the guests loved the cupcakes.
Sidenote: these called for coconut and I've learned
that MOST people do not like shredded coconut. Just saying. Here's how you too can be a cupcake rockstar.
3. Owl garland. These were easy to do but rather tedious. I cut out all the working parts from scrapbook paper I had lying around and hot glued all the pieces together. I then hung them with some twine. They turned out cute...but sadly they ultimately found their final resting place in the trash can. But hey, who can put a value on themed decor??
4. Party favors! Of course a party wouldn't be complete without party favors! I made owl wrapped Hershey bars. Now...these did take the longest to make. But totally worth it! How often do you get to send home chocolates with guests that are magically disguised as cute and lovable owls? Again, I just used paper I had around the house...and some googly eyes I happened to have. My hot glue gun is my best friend!! Until it scalds the skin right off of my fingers and then I curse the day it was invented...and then I love it all over again.
Jaxen seemed to really enjoy having all his favorite people gather and sing in his honor. He politely waited, hands in position, until the end of the Happy Birthday serenade and began to clap very excitedly. He still hasn't blown out candle one, but he doesn't have to! When you're that cute, you can just skip right to the gifts!! He loved all his new toys. So much so that every time we come home now...he runs inside and yelps 'New Toys!'
We had a great time celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the most painful thing I've ever went through....errr, the most joyous day of our life. Happy 2nd Birthday Jaxen!
